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Beyond the Wilds: Helena's Pursuit of Freedom
Mary Kolisnyk Spry-Myers
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Belletristik / Historische Romane und Erzählungen
Beschreibung
In the 1800s, a European peasant desired freedom from his dominant, uncaringlandlord in Ukraine. He chose a new life and country for himself and hisfamily, immigrating to the wilds of Manitoba, Canada. The very primitivelifestyle in the frontier wilderness of Canadian woodlands provided thebackdrop of the formidable challenges, difficulties and hardships he and hisfamily had experienced-through long years of adjustment-on the road tosurvival and success. The story takes you on many interesting journeys,across the sea, through time, to a conclusion. This saga tells aheart-gripping human story embedded in history, exemplifying the courage andstrength of this family, and highlighting one particular individual, Helena.Ukraine, situated in Southeastern Europe, is about one-tenth the size ofCanada. Its countryside is very picturesque with abundant rich agriculturalland and has gained the reputation as the "e;breadbasket"e; of Europe. At theheight of feudalism until 1848, male peasants forced into serfdom were notallowed to own land in Ukraine. After serfdom was abolished, most malepeasants were too poor financially to purchase land. One of them was aUkrainian peasant, Jacob, who found landlessness extremely depressing. Hislandlord owned the land he and his family lived on. Jacob built thedwellings on the land, but was unable to purchase the land. Jacob heardabout an offer from the Canadian government for Europeans willing topurchase 160 acres of land for ten dollars. He decided to pursue theopportunity, not realizing the difficulties and challenges he and his familywould have to go through in order to survive.Mary experienced much anxiety during the journey by ship to Montreal. Several of her children became ill. She also had many concerns about thefamily's uncertain future in a new country. Mary's feelings of insecuritygrew during their wagon ride through miles of deep wooded area to reachtheir new home. She took notice of the uninhabited territory for milesaround. Mary soon learned that children walked many miles through the woodsto attend school. Wild animals were close by. Temperatures went as low asthirty to forty degrees below zero during the winter months.The story expands on the eldest child, Michael, his marriage to Helena andtheir family. Their first intimate relationship was on their wedding night. It took place in a hayloft with the sound of cattle chewing and movingaround below them. Michael had a strong desire to own land before havingchildren. This desire was overtaken by the birth of their son, Bohdan, aboutnine months following their marriage. Unfortunately, because a doctor wasnot available in the area, the boy died from pneumonia at a very young age.Michael and Helena's family increased rapidly. Michael agreed to apartnership with Helena's brother, Jack, over a down payment for a farmestate. Michael was at first thrilled with this venture, but unfortunatelythey experienced many years of financial depression. Jack decided to walkaway from the deal and left the farm to Michael. One of the highlights onthe farm Helena enjoyed the most was having a larger home for the children. Her sister, Nellie, visited and stayed on for short periods, helping herwith the children. On one occasion, Nellie took care of the children whileMichael and Helena went out for a neighborhood get-together four miles fromtheir home. They traveled to their destination by horse and stone boat. Theride home became a nightmare when Michael was not able to control the horsewith the reins. The horse finally stopped at the barn door. Michael wasastonished when he turned around to talk to Helena and realized she was nolonger with him. Where was she?Michael's farming experience became more depressing as more payments weredeferred and obligations unmet.. During this very low period, Michael met anelderly
